Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Nov 1995
Clinical TrialEvaluation of pulmonary vein stenosis by transesophageal echocardiography.
Pulmonary vein stenosis was diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography in five patients who underwent the study for different clinical indications. Stenosis was encountered in the right upper pulmonary vein in two patients, the right lower pulmonary vein in two patients, and at the confluence of the left pulmonary veins in one patient. In only one patient was the diagnosis suspected on transthoracic echocardiography. ⋯ Peak flow velocity of 0.8 m/sec appears to provide the best separation between normal and stenosed pulmonary veins. We conclude that pulmonary vein stenosis is associated with increased flow velocity and turbulence and deformity of the flow signal. Transesophageal echocardiography is a powerful tool in the study of pulmonary vein stenosis.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Nov 1995
Case ReportsCor triatriatum dexter in an adult diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography: a case report.
Cor triatriatum dexter is a rare congenital heart malformation in which a persistent right sinus venosus valve divides the right atrium into two chambers. Before echocardiography, this anomaly has been rarely diagnosed before surgery or death. ⋯ A definitive diagnosis of cor triatriatum dexter with associated heart defects was best made by transesophageal echocardiography at 47 years of age. Subsequent surgical intervention confirmed all of the echocardiographic findings and successful correction of the defects was performed.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Nov 1995
Case ReportsDisseminated coccidioidomycosis with rapid progression to effusive-constrictive pericarditis.
This case reports coccidiomycosis presenting as pericarditis with tamponade rapidly progressing to effusive-constrictive pericarditis and death over 72 hours. Coccidiomycosis pericarditis is a rapidly progressing disease requiring early and complete pericardiectomy to avoid the hemodynamics of constriction. ⋯ We review the literature and discuss therapy and management. Coccidiomycosis is often clinically unsuspected and unrecognized by the health care worker unfamiliar with the disease process.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Sep 1995
Assessment of postinfarction ventricular septal ruptures by transesophageal Doppler echocardiography.
Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography has been shown to be a sensitive modality for the diagnosis of acute septal ruptures after myocardial infarctions. Transesophageal echocardiography has been shown to improve diagnostic accuracy and image quality in many clinical settings. ⋯ On the basis of the transesophageal echocardiographic appearance, we propose that septal ruptures after acute myocardial infarctions be classified as simple or complex, consistent with pathologic criteria for left ventricular septal and free wall ruptures. Transesophageal echocardiography proved a useful and safe adjunct to transthoracic imaging, overcoming the technical limitations in these critically ill patients.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Sep 1995
Case ReportsLeft atrial thrombus formation immediately after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation despite adequate anticoagulant therapy.
We observed a patient who exhibited de novo left atrial thrombus formation after cardioversion, despite administration of adequate anticoagulant therapy. Preexisting atrial thrombus was excluded by transesophageal echocardiography. Preexisting severe left atrial mechanical dysfunction may be considered as a risk factor for de novo thrombus formation after cardioversion, as well as the poor outcome of cardioversion.